Vibratory apparatus



Filed Dec. 24, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR C W. M

ATTORN EY Feb. 28, 1933. K. H. WHITNEY VIBRATORY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 24, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 28, 1933. K. H. WHITNEY VIBRATORY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 24, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet s 4.1. I WW a mvENToR a BY G 14 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 28, 1933 UNITED PATENT crawl-2 KARL H. \VHITNEY, 'OF KIRK-SVILLE, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO WHIT-MANIS MANUFAC- V TUBING COMPANY, INC., 01? KIRKSVILLE, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF 'MJISSOURI Application filed December 24, 1930. Serial No. 504,489.

My invention relates to improvements in vibratory apparatus. One of its objects is to provide improved vibratory apparatus adapted to vibrate, exercise, and massage different portions of the human body. Another object is'to provide improved vibratory apparatus adapted to effect a deep-seated massage and exercise of portions of the human body to thereby promote and accelerate 'thecirculation of lymphatic and other'fiuids and secretions of the body. Another object is to provide for use of a variety of vibratory pads and a variety of movements thereof to promote the circulation of fluids and secretions at different localities. Another object is to provide forconnecting up a plurality of vibratory pads in a variety of different relations and. movements. Another object is to provide an improved mechanism and unitary supporting base or frame therefor adapted to be mounted as a substantially rigid unit upon a table or other patient supporting member. Another object is to provide an improved patient support; Another object is to providean improved vibratory apparatus hava ing improved variable speed adjustments.

My invention also comprises certain details of form and arrangement, and comblnation .of components, all of which will be fully setforth in the description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a. perspective view of a patient supporting table with my improved vibratory apparatus applied thereto, and in position.

Fig. 2- is a perspective view of the same folded into compact space and adapted to render it more readily portable. 7

Fig. 3 is avertical section through t'he'table Fig. 1, taken upon line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. l is a bottom plan view of a portion oftheytable shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken on line 5-5 of .Fig.v '4.

Fig. dis a diagrammatic view showing one type ofconnection of a pad to the vibratory apparatus.

Fig. .7. is a diagrammatic view showing another type of connection ofa padto the vibratory apparatus. a

Fig. 8 a perspective View of one type of pad, detached.

Fig. 9 is a'persp'ective view of another type of pad, detached.

Fig. '10 is a perspective view of another type r of pad, detached. Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing the application of the pad Fig. 10 to the spinal column and base-of the ribs of a human bemg.

type of pad adapted to securing local and deep-seated vibratory movement.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a type of vibratory pad adapted particularly to reduc- Fig. '12 is a perspective view of another I 1y. Further to stimulate certainnervecenters and nerve endings that are su"llicientlyaccessible to be affected bythe mechanical action of the apparatus. Also by deep massage 'of the spinalmuscles and other tissue s toh'elp break down fibrotic conditions that maybe present ,in the muscle tissue, .and aiding in their absorption. It is also desirable "toqbe. able to reach by mechanical vibratory means the deep-seated organs and tissues to stimulate and promote 'a fluid circulation "therein. It is also desirable to yariably adjust the vibratory movement of the apparatus to suit thevibratory movements to the Work inhand,

and to vary the amplitude of the movement,

and the speed ratio thereof. of which areadapted'to be attained with my improved apparatus.

The accompanying drawings illustrate .modifications of my improved apparatusgin" which 15 and 16 representjthetwobodysecitions of a patient supporting bed :or table hinged together at their meeting edges *by means of Ihinge members and supported to be lifted by means of a shawl-strap or other carrying means and carried from place to place in the same manner as a suit-case. Each of said body sections has an apron 19 depending from the top at the sides and at one end. Oneof said body sections 15 has depending rails 20 endwise thereof and located inside of said apron 19 and inside of the legs 18 when in theirfolded position.

A metal frame'22 is preferably constructed in a single piece, and preferably of an aluvminum alloy casting in order to secure a maximum of strength and rigidity combined with relatively light weight. The frame 22 is securedby screws or bolts 23 to the under face of the top plate of the section 15, and also to the rails 20, so as to space and brace the .rails20. The frame 22 is provided with a pair of journal boxes 24 in which a through shaft 25 is journaled near opposite ends, the free ends of said shaft extending through perforations in the rails 20 into the spaces between the rails 20 and the apron members 19". The frame member 22 is also provided with a pair of journal boxes 26 in which boxes is journaled a sh aft 27, opposite ends of which shaft v27 extend through perforations in the rails 29 'into spaces between said rails and 1 apron members 19'. Cross bars or rocker bars 28 are attached'rigidly to opposite ends of the shaft 25 and provided with crank pins or buttons 29 near opposite ends of said rocker-bars 28. Rocker bars 30 similar to the rocker bars .28 and provided with crank pins 31 similar to the crank pins 29 are attached rigidly to opposite ends of the shaft 27. The shaft 25 is provided with a crank arm 32 by means of which it is adapted to be rocked. The shaft 27 is provided with a crank arm 33 by means ried upon a shaft 36 coupled at 37 to 'the shaft ,.38.0f,the motor 39, and a worm wheel meshof which it is; adapted to be rocked.

A variable sp'eed motor 39 preferably an electric motor, and specially wound to have a range of three or more rates of speed or a progressive change of speed covering a considerable speed range, is attached rigidly to the frame 22 and provided with a speed regulating lever 34 adapted to be manually shifted to secure different motor speeds. A speed reducing member comprising a housing 35, in .whichis rotatably mounted a worm caring with and driven by said worm and mounted upon a relatively slow speed shaft 40 65 journaled in said housing 35. The housing is attached rigidly to the frame 22, and the shaft is provided with a crank arm 41. The free end of the crank arm 41 is pivotally attached to one end of a link or pitman 42. The opposite end of the pitman 42 is pivotally attached to the free end of the crank arm 33 to rock the shaft 27. One end of a link or pitman 43 is also pivotally attached to the free end of the crank arm 33.

The opposite end of the pitman 43 is pivotally attached to the free end of crank arm 32 to rock the shaft 25. Thus the shafts 25 and 27 and their rocker arms 28 and 30 are adapted to be rocked at different rates of speed, for instance covering a range of speeds fronrabout forty-five to one hundred and fifty per minute. v

The crank pins 29 and 31 are preferably adjustable along the rocker arms'28 and 30 toward and from the shafts 25 and 27, as shown in detail in Fig. 15, to thereby adjust the throw or sweep of said crank pins to agreater or less amount and thereby increase or decrease the movement of the vibratory,

pads. One or more vibratory pads are adapted to be applied to a patient resting upon said table, usually face downwardly to treat the back and spine, or face upwardly to treat the chest and contents of the pelvic cavity. These pads are adapted to be used singly or in groups of two, three or four. In Fig. 8 I have illustrated one type of pad 50, constructed of flexible or spongy rubber,

for instance approximately four inches wide, twelve inches long, and two inches thick, provided with metal clips 45 through which one of the straps 46 is adapted to be threaded. The straps 46 and 47,0ne of which is longer than the other, are respectively attached at one end to one of the crank pins 29 or 31, preferably by forcing said crank pin through a button hole in the end of the'strap, so that the straps may be easily detached and readjusted. One of said straps is provided with a strap buckle 48, .and the opposite strap 46 is provided with a series of perforations 49 to receive the tongues of said buckles.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a pad 55, similar to the pad 50 shown in Fig. 8, except that the pad is convex on its under face instead of concave on the under face as shown in Fig. 8. The pad 55 is adapted to rest either crosswise of the patient or longitudinally of the patient. WVhen arranged crosswise of a patient, it is attached by one strap 46 and one strap 47 to two crank pins 29 and/or 31, to have an up anddown movement, or a movementendwise of the strap. When the pad 55 is arranged longitudinally of the patient, it is design'ed'to be attached by two straps 46 and two straps 47 to two pairs of crank pins 29 and/or 31, and to be alternately depressed at opposite ends. The convex section of the pad 55 is adapted to locally concenumn, with the medial spinal processes 61 extending outwardly into the spaces 56 between but out of contact with the pads 56. In Fig.

'12 I have illustrated apad 62 of triangular pattern with one end 68 of greater thickness than its opposite end. The pad 62 is adaptedto have an up and down or lateral movement-,and is designed for application to the abdomen. A pad of this general type is adapted to concentrate vibratory movement and massage pressure in a manner adapted to stimulate particular organs or localities. In Figs. 13 and 14,'Ihave illustrated a pad 63 with clips 45 to be attached to two straps 46. This pad is armed with a series of pivotally mounted grooved or fluted rubber faced rollers 65 adapted to roll over the exterior of the patient when coupled to the rocker arms as shown in Fig. 7, to thereby give a movement to the pad 63 endwise of the strap 46, and to thereby reduce the weight of a patient. The pad 63 is designed for application to the back and hips of a patient.

The pads, straps, and crank pins on the rocker arms are adapted to be connected up.

in a variety of combinations, only a portion of which are herein mentioned specifically. After one or more of the pads, 50, 55, 56, 62, or 63 for instance, have been adjusted to position upon the chest, abdomen, back or other portion of a patient, and a strap 46 threaded through the guides 45 or other strap guides of the pad and the strap 46 connected by a buckle 48 to a strap 47, thereby connecting each pad with a pair of rocker arms through a pair of crank pins 29 or 31. The pad if connected to two crank pins on the same side of the rock shaft, in the manner shown in Fig. 6, will be alternately drawn downwardly to- .ward the shaft 25 applying pressure to the front or back of a patient and releasing such pressure as the shaft 25 rocks in areverse direction. If the pad should be connected to the crank pins as shown in Fig. 7, that is strap 47 connected toa crank pin 29 on one side of the rock shaft 25, and strap 46 connected to a crank pin 29 upon the opposite side of the rock shaft 25, then the pad will be alternately drawn endwise of the straps in one direction and then in the opposite direction across the front or back of a patient by the action of the rock shaft 25 and its -which: in turn promotes a circulation of the 'flui ds-suchas the blood and lymphatic fluid.

manner three or four pads may be employed at the same'time in synchronous movement, by utilizing the crank pins of both'rock shafts '25 and 27. "A-latch or cam faced lock 51 cran k pins. By connecting two pads up to therock shaft 25, one pad connected to a pair of crank pins 29 upon one side of the rock shaft 25, and the other pad connected to the wardly, -an"d the two pads will move in syn chronism,'one upand the other down, so as todisplace the contents'of the chest or abdomen laterallyand longitudinally from beneath the descending pad to thereby cause a deep seatedvibratory or massage movement,

and further stimulates accessible nerve centers and nerve endings, and hence operates to improve the health of the patient in several respects.

By connecting one pad to a set of crank pins 31 011 the rock shaft 27, the same synchronous movement of the pads may be had, butwith the pads spaced further part. In like serves to latchthe strap 46 to one of the clips 45 to prevent displacement of the pad endwise upon its strap 46 after once adjusted to position with reference to the patient. A series of rollers 52 are pivotally mounted in slots 53near the edges of the table top section '15, over which rollers the straps 46 and 47 ride as the shafts 25 and 27 are rocked.

top, and out of contact with the sides of .a patient. A perforation 54 centrally of the table top section 15, is located opposite the face of the'patient when in a face downward position, and enables the'patient to conveniently breathe through said perforation.

The pad Fig. 10 is adapted to be adjusted to the sacrum of a patient facing downward- "movement to occur at'the articulations of the sacrum with the innorninates, which stretches and tends to normalize the articular tissues."

The pads Fig. 10-are different portions of the patient.

applicable generally to In F ig. 16 I have illustrated two adjacent pads and 81 attached together and tea handle bar 82 provided with a handle-83 too The rollers'52 hold the straps out of frictionalengagement with the edges of the table and with a slot 84 for the passage of a strap 46. The pads 80 and 81 have: an intervening spacesufiicient to receive the medial processes of the spine, and to adapt the pads 80 and 81 to seat upon the base of the ribs at opposite sides of the spine. In use the operator grasps the handle 83, and is thus enabled to guide the movements of the pads to a limited extent, and to control and to said slots, and rocker arms mounted in said channels, a ,mechanical vibrating member mounted at the rear face of said patient supporting member intermediateof said channels, a relatively thickpneumatically cushioned pad resting upon the patient, and a flexible connection attached at opposite ends to said rocker arms and looped over said idler rollers and over said pad to impartvibratory motion to said pad.

2. Vibratory apparatus comprising a patient supporting member having slots near opposite sides and idler rollers journaled in said slots, a mechanical vibrating member mounted upon the rear face of said patient supportingmember intermediate of said slots and provided with centrally attached rocker arms located in substantial alignment with said slots, a pair of pneumatically cushioned relatively thick pads resting side by side upon the patient, and a pair of flexible connecting members each attached at opposite ends to one p-air of rocker arm ends and looped over one'pair of idler rollers and one of said pads to impart movement in different directions to said respective pads.

3. Vibratory apparatus comprising a patient supporting member having idler rollnear opposite edges thereof, a mechanical vibrating member mounted, upon the rear face of said patient supporting member intermediate of said idler rollers, and provided with a rock shaft, centrally attached rocker arms located respectively at opposite Y ends of said rock shaftand in substantial of said pads to impart movement in different directions to said respective pads.

l. Vibratory apparatus comprising a patient supporting table member composed of two sections hingedtogether centrally and' transversely of its length, one section of said patient supporting member being provided with slots near its edges, a rock shaft journaled to said section intermediate of said slots, and provided at its ends with rocker arms centrally attached to said rock shaft and in substantial alignment with said slots, idler rollers located in said slots, a motor to drive said rock shaft, and a flexible member connected at opposite endsv to said rocker arms in pairs and looped over said idler rollers and over a patient to impart vibratory movement to the patient, said table sections being adapted to fold together for transportation purposes, and when folded together, to house said motor, rock shaft and rocker arms.

In testimony whereof I have aliixed my signature.

KARL H. VHITNEY.

alignment with saididler rollers, a pair of V a the patient side by side, and a pair of flexible relatively thick flexible pads, resting upon connecting members each attached at oppo- 7 

